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President

Apparel and home textile industry executive with a proven record of over 25 years of accomplishments in Sourcing, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Merchandising and Social Compliance.

•	Pioneered the establishment of Kohl's Department Stores' Sourcing and Social Compliance Departments
•	Expert in apparel and home textile sourcing, product development process, quality assurance and social compliance
•	Skilled at defining, driving and executing sourcing strategies to meet corporate margin, delivery and quality objectives 
•	Accomplished at establishing and maintaining long-term strategic relationships with multi-cultural supply chain partners
•	Strong vision for creating and executing the product development process and calendar from concept to consumer 
•	Successful record of driving profitable businesses for large retail ($15+B), catalog retail ($32M) and wholesale ($45M) companies 
•	High integrity, trustworthy, strong work ethic and sound judgment
•	Proficient negotiator, strategic planner, analytical and detail oriented with a keen sense of urgency and prioritization
•	Effective team leader and communicator able to influence, motivate and train others
•	Team player and collaborator adept at creating and sustaining constructive working relationships  



•	Facilitate business relationships between foreign manufacturers and U.S. importers. Developed BOM costing tool for wholesale/retail apparel company. Authored and edited vendor guidebook for intimate apparel importer/wholesaler. Advise apparel companies regarding business development opportunities, strategic initiatives, global sourcing, product development, and marketing strategies 

•	Planned, managed, and directed the sourcing of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessories. Evaluated business partners, determined sourcing needs, vetted potential new sources, and  explored new fabric technologies 
•	Introduced new direct and domestic importer sourcing lowering costs, improving quality, and increasing on-time delivery performance. Identified margin opportunities for repeat styles and sourcing changes which resulted in substantial cost savings and quality upgrades. Created vendor scorecard for evaluation of total vendor performance 
•	Member of product development leadership team. Introduced Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software and led the search for the purchase of a PLM program that best met the company's needs 
•	Launched new product categories, expanded underdeveloped categories, and focused on growth of key items which resulted in a 68% sales increase during tenure at the company.  Guided spring sales penetration from 5% to 15% of annual sales
•	Established, managed, and communicated quality assurance standards and processes. Contracted third party inspection service, assigned inspections, reviewed results, and communicated findings and corrective actions 


Director of Sourcing and Quality Assurance

•	Guided retail and apparel companies with business development opportunities, prioritizing strategic initiatives, implementation of new initiatives, process improvement and managing day to day operations 
•	Provided growing specialty internet/catalog retailer with organizational consultation and process development of sourcing, product development, technical design, quality assurance and merchandising. Established procedures for improved communications, productivity, quality consistency and increased profitability 
•	Advised start-up wholesale/retail apparel firm on merchandising, strategic planning, process improvement, sales, marketing and business development 
•	Provided industry and company specific insight to investment firms, venture capital firms and private equity funds

•	Led product development, merchandising, sourcing, and quality efforts for contemporary Jeremiah and moderate North River brands. Collaborated with design, technical design, sales, and customers on private brand programs
•	Coordinated communication and product strategy between design, technical design, sales, and production 
•	Created seasonal line plans, including product assortment, FOB targets, wholesale price, margins, and suggested retail prices. Assessed competition, trends, fabrics, and new printing and finishing technologies. Diversified vendor base, lowered costs, increased margins, and improved deliveries  
•	Implemented vendor strategies and partnerships to better support line plans, enhance product development, and improve product commercialization
•	Benchmarked and authored quality assurance manual. Initiated third-party quality assurance inspections. Established a Foria International, Inc. Quality Assurance and Production Monitoring office in Suzhou, China  


Vice President of Merchandising and Sourcing

•	Led the creation of this position focused on more cost effective global sourcing of up to $1.3B annually of women’s, men’s, and children’s private brand apparel, fashion accessories, and home textiles. From 1998 through 2005, delivered exclusive sourcing management of all apparel and accessories 
•	Developed corporate sourcing strategy and vendor matrix. Focused vendor matrix on resource consolidation and leveraged economies of scale at the mill and factory to obtain favorable costs, deliveries, and improved quality
•	Conducted first benchmarking review of Kohl’s Apparel Performance and Testing Standards resulting in improved product performance, quality, and competitiveness. Reviewed product commercialization with product managers 
•	Originated, organized, and hosted Kohl’s semi-annual private brand international vendor fairs. Planned and convened a conference for Latin American factory partners and Kohl’s at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua, Guatemala



Strategic Sourcing Manager

•	Pioneered Kohl’s Social Compliance Program for private and exclusive brand suppliers focused on protecting Kohl’s brand while ensuring in country compliance with all labor, safety, and environmental standards 
•	Led the evaluation and approval of all factories used for production of private brand and exclusive brand products
•	Developed and implemented vendor and factory evaluation process. Established supplier conduct guidelines, compliance database, and processes. Directed the efforts of three external compliance monitoring companies. Created and delivered training for vendors, agents, and Kohl's staff. Supervised an administrative staff of four
•	Chairperson of Executive Social Responsibility Committee (2001-2005). Member of Supply Chain Security Committee. Presented report on Social Compliance Monitoring to Board of Directors (April 2005) 


Social Compliance Manager (Concurrent with Sourcing Manager Position)

Find out detailed information about David Levey, President in Mequon, WI

David Levey: President in Mequon, WI

David Levey

Outfitters Consulting LLC

Legendary Whitetails

Outfitters Consulting LLC

Foria International, Inc.

Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores

Northwestern University